According to Healthcare Design, this year’s jury included 18 architects, designers, builders, regulators, consultants, and providers with expertise in healthcare design. They spent approximately two weeks reviewing and scoring projects individually, and then gathered together for a nine-hour review and discussion of the submissions. Projects were reviewed against four criteria: innovation, collaboration, aesthetics and operations/functionality.

“This is a tremendous honor for our firm and very deserved recognition for these clients and our design teams,” said Mike Pukszta, health practice leader at CannonDesign. “We don’t design healthcare buildings to win design awards, but it’s an amazing feeling when our teams get recognized for their tireless efforts. These two projects are proof that great healthcare design can be functional, efficient and beautiful all at the same time.”

Jacobs Medical Center is a 10-story, 245-bed patient tower in La Jolla, California, functioning as three hospitals in one — housing inpatient services for high-risk obstetrics and neonatal care, cancer care and advanced surgical care. Its signature design features are its overall curvilinear form, modern finishes, access to gardens and natural light, and patient-focused technology.

UW Cancer Center at ProHealth Care — located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin — is a comprehensive cancer center designed to break up the monotony that comes with regular cancer treatment. Key to the success of the project was a very inclusive design process, which involved extensive engagement with patients and staff at every stage of design. The result is a design emulating the idea that form doesn’t follow function, form follows experience.